Gentry Neese of Franklin makes a one-handed interception after the ball’s intended receiver from Brentwood tipped it during their game at Franklin High School Friday August 18, 2017.
Alan Poizner for The Tennessean

Oakland seniors Samantha Curray (left) an Savannah Stevens (right) cheer as the Oakland band marches into the stadium before the start of the game against Independence, on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at Oakland.
HELEN COMER/DNJ

Oakland seniors Zac Lemerand (left) an Jacob Reed (right) cheer before the Oakland football team takes to the field, before the start of the game against Independence, on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at Oakland.
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Marcus Crawford (left) and Walter Reed (right) attach an American flag to a Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete pump truck before the Oakland vs. Independence football game, on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at Oakland. SRM Concrete is a sponcser of the game.
HELEN COMER/DNJ

Marlie DeSantos, left, and Elise Pierce show their Franklin pride as they prepare for cheering on their team against Brentwood at Franklin School Friday August 18, 2017.
Alan Poizner For The Tennessean

Hillsboro's Tre Dickerson (7) rushes onto the field with teammates before a game against Brentwood Academy at Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 18, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Flamingos and a sign outside Franklin High SchoolÕs football field honor the memory of Franklin High School announcer Robbin Holland who passed away earlier this year Friday August 18, 2017.
Alan Poizner For The Tennessean

Brentwood Academy's Kenyon Garlington (15) looks back as he scores a touchdown against Hillsboro on the kickoff during the first half at Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 18, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

A Franklin High School fan holds a sign indicating the score of last yearÕs Franklin vs. Brentwood football game before the start of their game at Franklin High School Friday August 18, 2017.
Alan Poizner For The Tennessean

Marcus Crawford (left) and Walter Reed (right) attach an American flag to a Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete pump truck before the Oakland vs. Independence football game, on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at Oakland. SRM Concrete is a sponcser of the game.
HELEN COMER/DNJ

Hillsboro quarterback Darius Smith (15) heads to the sideline after a play against Brentwood Academy during the second half at Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 18, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Brentwood Academy's Kenyon Garlington (15) looks back as he scores a touchdown against Hillsboro on the kickoff during the first half at Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 18, 2017.(Photo: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)Buy Photo

BRENTWOOD — Leon and Laurissa Garlington had an interesting decision to make on Friday.

With both of their sons playing an integral role in the opening week of the 2017 high school football season, the Garlingtons could either travel to West Nashville to see their older son Weldon coach RePublic High School’s season-opener against Pearl-Cohn, or trek to Williamson County to watch their younger son Kenyon kick off his senior season at Brentwood Academy.

In the end, baby brother won out.

“The senior got priority,” Leon said after the Eagles’ 53-14 win over Hillsboro.

It didn’t take long for them to realize they’d made the right call, either.

While Weldon, a former Brentwood Academy and TSU standout, was busy taking one on the chin in his head-coaching debut — a 63-0 loss to last year’s Class 4A semifinalist Pearl-Cohn — Kenyon was busy kickstarting the Eagles’ quest for a third consecutive state championship.

After picking the opening kickoff off the turf at around the 15, Kenyon, a senior wide receiver and defensive back for BA, darted upfield, weaving his way in between would-be Hillsboro tacklers all the way to the end zone.

“I was expecting it to go deep, but they kind of skipped it off the ground to me,” Keyon said. “I just picked it up and started running, trusted my blockers and took it all the way.”

And while Division II-AAA Brentwood Academy proceeded to pile up 57 more points before Class 5A Hillsboro managed to crack the scoreboard, Kenyon’s 84-yard kick return undoubtedly set the tone for the thoroughly one-sided affair.

“I believe that sparked the momentum,” the 5-foot-9, 165-pounder said. “I think this game turned some heads around the league and showed we’re definitely a force to be reckoned with.”

Kenyon wasn’t the only Eagle to notch a special teams score on Friday, as senior Vanderbilt commitment Camron Johnson returned a punt 54 yards for a second-quarter score.

First-year starting quarterback Gavin Schoenwald completed 5 of 12 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown for Brentwood Academy (1-0), and Michael Archie hauled in four receptions for 37 yards and a pair of scores.

“This morning was kind of stressful at our house,” Laurissa Garlington said. “Weldon was nervous. I was nervous. But Kenyon told me not to be nervous … (Tonight) was extremely exciting, especially when (Kenyon) took off running down the field.”

Senior slot back Jeremiah Alexander notched a pair of fourth-quarter rushing scores for Hillsboro (0-1), which failed to register a first down through 2½ quarters.